Cute cat photo competition raises over £300 for Basingstoke & District Cat Protection

An annual cute cat photograph competition held at Tadley Spring Fair had its most entries yet in 2023, but there was only one purrfect feline.

Henry, owned by Alton couple Catherine and Richard Pretious, was the cat that got the cream this year after he was crowned the public vote winner on Saturday, March 11.

Second prize went to Bella, owned by Rebecca Cooke from Newbury, and third prize went to Poppy, owned by Thatcham residents Louise and Daniel Mead.

The charitable competition, which supports Basingstoke & District Cat Protection, has been organised and funded by Aldermaston couple David and Marion Canning for 27 years.

The Cannings also choose their own best in show winner every year, and this year that prestigious prize went to Bella and Zoe, a pair of cats owned by Thatchamite Katherine Webster.

This year’s competition managed to raise £330 for the local animal charity, with the Cannings presenting a cheque to Cats Protection representatives on the day of the fair.

There were 80 entries, with most being local, but some came from as far as northern Scotland and even overseas from France.

David Canning said: “This of course meant more work for us with more printing but we don’t mind as it was great to have such interest.

“We had to print smaller to get in the space at the show but the display looked good.”

Mr Canning thanked the Newbury Weekly News for advertising the competition both in the paper and online, which he believed led to the most entries the competition has ever seen.

The Cannings also put together a cat calendar every year which is made up of competition entries. A big part of the £330 raised came from this year’s calendar sales.

Due to this year’s high amount of entries, the couple might make two or maybe even three calendars for 2024.